A rare clay figure of Chakrasamvara, Central Tibet, 15th century

Peaceful Wind, Santa Fe.

This rare and remarkably well preserved clay figure is from a set of the six Armor Deities (kavacha devata), representing tantric emanations of Vajrasattva and the Five Jina Buddhas with consorts that are visualized in the mandala practice of Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi. For additional information, see Huntington and Bangdel, The Circle of Bliss, Columbus, 2003, pp. 266-67. Compare the modelling style and clay construction of the four-armed Tanma goddesses in the assembly hall of Paro Dzong in western Bhutan, illustrated in Olschak, Mystic Art of Ancient Tibet, London, 1987, pp. 102-03.